Emily Peterson
Managing Director
Emily is the manager at the Senate Presidents’ Forum, where she supports the Forum’s mission of fostering bipartisan dialogue and leadership development among state senate leaders. With three years of experience at the National Conference of State Legislatures and a strong background in development and strategic partnerships, Emily brings expertise in fundraising, nonprofit engagement, and program execution to her role. Passionate about strengthening public policy through collaborative leadership, Emily is committed to advancing impactful conversations at the state level. Based in Salt Lake City, Emily enjoys taking advantage of Utah’s outdoors through skiing and hiking.
John Cullerton
Forum Moderator
(former Illinois Senate President)
John Cullerton’s storied career in public office spans more than four decades. He served in the Illinois General Assembly from 1979 to 2020, representing the 6th District first as a member of the House from 1979 to 1991 and then the Senate from 1991 to 2020, where he was elected by his peers to preside as president for 11 years until retiring from the legislature.
Over the course of his tenure in office, John passed notable pieces of legislation including the seat-belt law, Smoke-Free Illinois Act and the Child Passenger Protection Act. Known for his calm leadership and pragmatic consensus building, his bipartisan approach paved the way for significant accomplishments in the Senate around economic recovery, resolution of budget stalemates, marriage equality, public education funding and investment in state infrastructure.
Today, John is a partner with law firm Thompson Coburn, drawing on his vast insight into how government functions as he advocates for an array of clients. In recent years, he has also provided lobbying services for clients before governmental bodies in both Illinois and Washington, D.C.
A native of Chicagoland, John earned a bachelor's degree in political science from Loyola University in Chicago, as well as a J.D. from its School of Law. He began his legal career working in the Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender.
John and his wife, Pam, have been married for 46 years. They have five children and reside on the north side of Chicago.
Marcy Fogard
Meeting Consultant
Marcy brings extensive logistical expertise and travel experience to our programs. She began her career on the hotel side as a manager in Catering & Conference Services, and went on to Meeting Planning for numerous Fortune 500 companies before becoming a travel director focused on pharmaceutical clientele, as well as working on-site at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. She recently spent nine years consulting on an annual investor conference for a Washington, D.C.-based association in the oil & gas industry. At SPF, Marcy is responsible for destination research for future meetings, advance site visits, negotiation of on-site contracts, pre-planning and on-site management, and post-meeting reviews.
Corina Mulder
SPF Consultant
Corina developed expertise on state legislatures during her tenure at the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), where she planned trainings for legislative leaders, was director of State Services, and led the Fiscal Affairs Program. Corina has written extensively on state budget issues and been quoted in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and other prestigious publications. She holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Colorado and a B.A. from CU-Boulder.
Christine de Vries
Editorial Consultant
Christine has served as SPF's editor since 1996. She holds degrees from Cornell University and Harvard University. For the past 15 years, Christine has developed medical education materials for healthcare professionals. She is the co-author of the book Successful Cardiac Rehabilitation and has been published in The Wall Street Journal and The Christian Science Monitor, as well as serving as a contributor to articles for numerous medical journals.
SPF Team
Caroline Carlson
Executive Director
Caroline spent much of her career fundraising for the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Foundation. She directed their development work for 18 years before leading the non-profit from 2019-2023. When she started in 2001, the Foundation had raised $500,000 consistently for over a decade. Caroline developed the program to reach over $5 million in revenue and 280 sponsors in her 22 years at NCSL. At Heartland Forward, Caroline worked with a small team of economists, program and event staff to highlight the message that applied research, tested programs and sound public policies can contribute to economic success in the middle of the country. With an impressive track record of success and a deep understanding of state legislatures, Caroline brings valuable experience that aligns perfectly with SPF's vision and goals.
Caroline received her undergraduate degree in political science at James Madison University in Virginia and earned her master's in public affairs at Indiana University in Bloomington. She resides in Golden, Colorado with her husband, Mark; son, Jack; plus one cat and a dog.
Dear Senate Colleagues:
Rose Swan founded the Senate Presidents’ Forum in 1994. For 31 years, Rose led the program with kindness and grace, maintaining an educational and non-partisan focus while fostering deep and lasting friendships. A hallmark of the Forum is its friendly, open and engaging atmosphere where people with diverse views find common ground.
In keeping with her vision, the Senate Presidents’ Forum provides state senate leaders with opportunities to discuss public policy issues in an open way, to hear from experts with no political agendas and to learn from one another’s experiences. Most importantly, under Rose’s leadership the Forum has been a safe environment where senate leaders can get to know each other, where the challenges they face are recognized and the commitment they show is honored. The ultimate goal of Rose’s work has been to support state senate leaders in developing fair and wise decisions for the good of all. As Rose retires, the Forum honors her for three decades of outstanding leadership. She will be deeply missed.
It’s been said that the greatest investment one can make is in people. Rose has made that investment in all of us, and we’re better for it. We’re better to have journeyed along this trail with Rose, and for her to have been a part of our lives and our work. For that, I am eternally grateful.
– THOMAS C. ALEXANDER, President of the Senate, South Carolina
Knowing how this organization evolved from 7 senators and 10 sponsors to where we are today, I have no qualms about saying Rose created the preeminent conference in the nation for state elected officials. It’s been an incredible journey.
– RONALD D. KOUCHI, President of the Hawai’i Senate, Hawai’i
Winston Churchill said that you can measure your living by what you get but you measure your life by what you give. Rose Swan measures up in life. She gives to each and every one of us.
– DAVID SOKOLA, Senate President Pro Tempore, Delaware
I've learned so much from Rose over the years, but only recently did I learn that she is an accomplished potter. When you think about throwing clay and pottery, all molds are created a little differently — and they really broke the mold when they made her. Rose has led this group with the wit, wisdom and humor of someone who we've all come to deeply admire.
– GERARD DEHRMANN, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, Walmart
FOUNDER
Senate Presidents’ Forum
Rose Swan
